Judge won't dismiss general's sex assault charges

Published: Monday, March 10, 2014 at 09:48 AM.

Updated at 2:58 p.m.FORT BRAGG, N.C. (AP) — A military judge has declined to dismiss sexual assault charges against an Army general.

Judge Col. James Pohl on Monday offered the defense team to let a different commanding general and prosecutors consider a plea deal that was previously rejected. The defense has until Tuesday morning to decide between that option or allow the trial to proceed.

Before the trial, Brig. Gen. Jeffrey A. Sinclair had offered to plead guilty to some of the lesser charges in exchange for the Army dropping the sexual assault charges. The plea deal was ultimately rejected.

On Monday, Pohl reviewed newly disclosed emails and said he found evidence that the decision to reject the plea deal was influenced by political considerations.

Under military code of justice, the decision was supposed to be decided solely based on evidence in the case — and not its broader political implications.

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RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Defense lawyers for an Army general facing sexual assault charges say they plan to press his primary accuser on inconsistencies in her story.

Attorneys for Brig. Gen. Jeffrey A. Sinclair will get their chance Monday to cross-examine the female captain at the center of the closely-watched case.

The woman testified Friday that toward the end of their three-year affair Sinclair twice ended arguments by unbuttoning his pants and forcing her head into his lap as she cried.

The defense says they'll show the woman is lying by presenting a trove of emails and text messages she exchanged with the general, many of them sexually explicit.

Sinclair is believed to be the highest-ranking U.S. military officer ever tried for sexual assault. He faces life in prison if found guilty.

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Updated at 2:58 p.m.FORT BRAGG, N.C. (AP) — A military judge has declined to dismiss sexual assault charges against an Army general.

Judge Col. James Pohl on Monday offered the defense team to let a different commanding general and prosecutors consider a plea deal that was previously rejected. The defense has until Tuesday morning to decide between that option or allow the trial to proceed.

Before the trial, Brig. Gen. Jeffrey A. Sinclair had offered to plead guilty to some of the lesser charges in exchange for the Army dropping the sexual assault charges. The plea deal was ultimately rejected.

On Monday, Pohl reviewed newly disclosed emails and said he found evidence that the decision to reject the plea deal was influenced by political considerations.

Under military code of justice, the decision was supposed to be decided solely based on evidence in the case — and not its broader political implications.

-----

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Defense lawyers for an Army general facing sexual assault charges say they plan to press his primary accuser on inconsistencies in her story.

Attorneys for Brig. Gen. Jeffrey A. Sinclair will get their chance Monday to cross-examine the female captain at the center of the closely-watched case.

The woman testified Friday that toward the end of their three-year affair Sinclair twice ended arguments by unbuttoning his pants and forcing her head into his lap as she cried.

The defense says they'll show the woman is lying by presenting a trove of emails and text messages she exchanged with the general, many of them sexually explicit.

Sinclair is believed to be the highest-ranking U.S. military officer ever tried for sexual assault. He faces life in prison if found guilty.